Electronic document management and delivery

ABSTRACT

In one embodiment, system to manage and deliver electronic documents is disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/911,290, entitled Authentic Document Delivery, filed Apr. 12, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Electronic documents and computer readable files are susceptible to fraud and unauthorized modifications. Electronic documents and computer files can be generated and/or modified by unauthorized and/or unidentified users via many commercially available software programs and/or custom software “hacking” tools available via the internet.

Various entities have devised solutions to reduce the likelihood of this occurring by focusing on encrypting the document or file and/or embedding a digital signature or certificate in the document or file. Existing techniques, individually and/or in combination, have failed to provide allow for the management of the complete document lifecycle (i.e., from creation thru delivery) of secure electronic documents and/or computer files.

SUMMARY

The subject matter described and claimed herein addresses these and other problems to provide a single, integrated solution for the management of a complete and configurable secure document lifecycle process. A messaging framework integrates disparate components and technology enables a seamless flow of data between various technological components in any one of multiple component configurations and across multiple deployment modes.

In one embodiment, the system comprises six modular service components that can be run independently or in combination. The service components include a document ordering service (DOS) module, a document generation service (DGS) module, a document authentication service (DAS) module, a document rights service (DRS) module, a document delivery service (DDS) module, and an Authentication Portal Service (APS) module.

In some embodiments, the system also comprises four system components to manage operations of the system. These components include a messaging framework (MF), a management console (MC), a billing system (BS), and a monitoring system (MS). The message framework (MF) provides a framework through which the various system components can communicate.

In some embodiments, the system is configurable to allow for deployment in two modes. In the first mode document retrieval and delivery is made to a set of inbox and outbox folders. In the second mode document retrieval and delivery is fully automated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for electronic document management and delivery, according to embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document order service module messaging function, according to embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of the order handler message definition, according to embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration illustrating aspects of the document generation service module messaging function, according to embodiments.

FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of the order handler message definition, according to embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document rights service module messaging function, according to embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document authentication service module messaging function, according to embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document delivery service module process flow, according to embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations in a method to authenticate an access request, according to embodiments.

FIGS. 8-9 are flowcharts illustrating operations in a method of document delivery service processing, according to embodiments.

FIGS. 10-12 are flowcharts illustrating operations in a method of message processing, according to embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are exemplary systems and methods for electronic document management and delivery. Various methods described herein may be embodied as logic instructions on a computer-readable storage medium. When executed on a processor, various of the logic instructions cause a general purpose computing device to be programmed as a special-purpose machine that implements the described methods. The processor, when configured by the logic instructions to execute the methods recited herein, constitutes structure for performing the described methods.

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a system for secure electronic document management and delivery, according to embodiments. Various components of a system 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is intended, in part, to illustrate data flows between components in a hosting center and a client data center. In practice, the hosting data center may represent one or more data centers which provide a document management and delivery service, and the client data center may represent one or more data centers which utilize services provided by the system 100 to manage secure documents and/or to deliver secure documents to a destination.

System 100 may be used by external parties to facilitate the management and delivery of secure documents. For example, in some embodiments, the client data center may represent a university, a healthcare provider, a financial services provider, or the like. In some embodiments, third parties such as, for example, alumni of a university or customers of a healthcare provider or a financial services provider may use the system 100 to manage and/or to pull secure documents from the client data center. In other embodiments, the client data center may use the system 100 to push secure documents from the client data center to a third party.

Referring to FIG. 1, system 100 is illustrated with components in a hosting data center and a client data center. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the hosting data center comprises a document ordering service (DOS) module 110, a portal service (PS) module 115, a document rights service (DRS) module 150, a document authentication service (DAS) module 160, and a document delivery service (DDS) module 170. The client data center is illustrated with a quick start module 130 and a document generation service module 140. In practice, a client data center may comprise one of quick start module 130 or document generation service (DGS) module 140. A messaging framework (MF) 120 provides a communication framework between various components of the system 100 and permits the system 100 to assume multiple different configurations.

In some embodiments, the hosting data center further comprises a management console (MC) 175, a monitoring system (MS) 180, a billing system (BS) 185, and a database 190. Each of these modules will be described in greater detail below.

Document Order Service (DOS) Module

In some embodiments, the Document Ordering Service (DOS) module 110 implements an online ordering website that allows users of the system to order and pay for documents and document management services using conventional payment processing techniques such as, for example, credit card processing techniques, bank transfers, or the like. The DOS module 110 enables users of the system 100 to place orders for traditional paper documents, secure electronic documents or other products that may be offered through the client data center.

When a user of system 100 places an order via the DOS module 110, DOS module 110 generates a data record that represents the order that was placed by the user of the system. In one embodiment, the order record includes a header and an order document. The form of the header is depicted in Table 1 and the form of the order record is depicted in Table 2.

The database 190 includes defined lists of order-records of data. Each order-record describes aspects of a specific document request and contains the document request information that was generated and/or manipulated by the user of the DOS 110. Thus, each order-record is standardized, regardless of who entered the information into the order-record.

TABLE 1 Order Header Data Element Type Description order_id Integer unique order identifier school_id Integer unique organization identifier orders_external_status String DGS Processing Status order_capture_total Float Amount actually charged to the user x_customers_authorization Boolean Authorization status of User x_orders_consent Boolean Consent Status of User source String Order Source (DOS, APS, DTS, Other) admin_id Integer APS User Id ap_multiple_document_flag Boolean 1 - Order is an APS multiple document order 0 - Order is not an APS multiple document order

Referring to Table 1, the header includes a data field (order_id) which uniquely identifies the order number and a data field (school_id) which uniquely identifies the organization associated with the client data center. The header also includes a data field (orders_external_status) which identifies the processing status of the order with the document generation service (DGS) module. In some embodiments, this data field is set to a value which indicates whether the document generation service (DGS) module has successfully retrieved the order.

TABLE 2 Order Document Data Element Type Description order_product_id Integer unique order product identifier delivery_status_message String MF Processing message signing_reason String Reason text embedded in signature by the DAS signing_location String Location text embedded in signature by the DAS signing_contactinfo String Contact Information embedded in signature by DAS external_status String DGS Processing Status delivery_email String DDS Delivery email address delivery String DDS Delivery method source String Order Source (DOS, PS, DTS, Other) adds1_envelope_flag Boolean 1 - Order Item is a multiple document envelope 0 - Order Item is not a multiple document envelope delivery_status String Order Item Status orders_products_filename String DDS Delivery filename download_maxdays Integer DDS Download expiration counter download_count Integer DDS Download counter d_id String DDS Secure Download document identifier doc_password Blob DDS Secure Download passcode login_attempts Integer DDS Secure Download login attempt counter last_attempt Date DDS Secure Download login attempt tracking date_available Datetime DDS Download availability

Referring to Table 2, the Order Document includes a data field (order_product_id) which uniquely identifies the product ordered and other data fields which represent various attributes order.

Thus, the output of the DOS 110 is a computer message that, among other things, contains an order identifier which uniquely identifies the order-record in the Database 190. The use of the database 190 to supplement the computer message between the DOS module 110 and the MF 120 reduces the amount of data transmitted between the DOS module 110 and the MF, which allows for the efficient transmission of a complete order-record. For example, when an order is completed in the DOS 110, the order identifier is transmitted to the MF 120 for processing. By passing the order identifier in the data message, the MF 120 is able to access the order-record in the database 190 and make processing decisions based on the order-record values without the incurring the overhead of passing the entire order-record in the computer message. In addition, including the order identifier in the computer message instead of the entire order-record allows enhancements to be made to the DOS 110 and to the MF 120 independently.

FIG. 2A is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document order service module messaging function, according to embodiments, and FIG. 2B is a schematic illustration of the order handler message definition, according to embodiments. When an order is received in the DOS module 110, the DOS module 110 generates a DOS message which is output to the MF 120. As depicted in FIG. 2, in one embodiment the DOS message comprises a field (Oid) that uniquely identifies the order and an field (Opoid) that uniquely identifies the order document. The DOS message also includes a field (ActionState) that determines how the MF 120 processes the document and may include a securityToken field that holds a shared secret for authenticating the message. The DOS message is input to the MF 120, which processes the message and generates a DOS message response, which is returned to the DOS module 110. Details of the processing performed by the MF 120 are described below.

Document Generation Service (DGS) Module

The Document Generation Service (DGS) module 140 comprises components and services used to convert data content (i.e., typically computer files) into Portable Document Format (PDF) digital document files. In some embodiments the DGS module 140 invokes the services of one or more third-party systems, e.g., Adobe® Acrobat®, to generate a PDF file based on the document request from the DOS module 110.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the DGS module 140 comprises a connector module 142, a document retrieval module 144, and a data transport service (DTS) client module 146. The DGS module 140 accepts a document request from the DOS module 110 by way of a computer message from the MF 120 via the connector module 142. As described above, the data message from the DOS module 110 contains the information required for the document retrieval module to retrieve the document content from one or more of a plurality of third party systems and to convert the content to a PDF file. The DGS module 140 then sends a computer message containing the PDF file to the MF 120 for additional processing via the DRS module 150, DAS module 160 or DDS module 170.

FIG. 3A is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document generation service (DGS) module messaging function, according to embodiments, and FIG. 3B is a schematic illustration of the order handler message definition, according to embodiments. Referring first to FIG. 3A, the MF 120 forwards a DGS message request to the DGS module 140. Among other elements, the DGS message includes a document_id field which contains a unique document identifier from the database 190, a document_type field which the DGS module 140 uses to identify the document handler, a requestor_id field that uniquely identifies the requestor, a requestor_name field and an requestor_dob field that includes the date of birth of the requestor. Additional details of the DGS message request are depicted in FIG. 3B.

The DGS module 140 receives the DGS message request and, using one or more data fields in the request, the document retrieval module 144 retrieves an electronic document from the client data center. For example, the document may represent a student's transcripts or a patient's medical records. If necessary, the document is converted to a PDF format.

The DGS module 140 then generates a MF message that is transmitted to the MF 120. In one embodiment the MF message conforms to the PESC DTS 1.0 Specification (DTS). The DTS Message contains information required by the MF 120 to identify the MF Message Type of the message, information used by the MF 120 to process the document, and the PDF file of the document to be processed. Attributes of the DGS message headers implemented pursuant to the DTS specification are defined in Table 3 through Table 10.

TABLE 3 Routing Header Defined In DTS Spec Implementation Specific Field Description Type Contents UUID Is a unique identifier of the String UUID - Response will request¹ use UUID from Request SourceId Identifies the source of the String FICE#, or unique id request (response) SourceId Identifies a secondary code String Blank - Reserved for SubCode that helps identify the source future use of the request (response). RecipientId Identifies the recipient of the String FICE#, or unique id request (response). RecipientId Identifies a secondary code String Blank - Reserved for future SubCode that helps identify the use recipient of the request (response). Transmission The date/time stamp of the request Datetime DateTime (response)

Referring to Table 3, the routing header includes data fields that facilitate routing the message from the DGS module 140 to the MF 120.

TABLE 4 Payload Type Header Defined In DTS Spec Implementation Specific Field Description Type Contents Value This element identifies the String Request: type of payload within the TranscriptDelivery - request. Normal Transcript Processing Status - Document Status Update Response: Same as Request

Referring to Table 4, the payload type header includes a data field that identifies the payload type.

TABLE 5 DTS Service Expectation Header Defined In DTS Spec Implementation Specific Field Description Type Contents Value This element is to be used to String Value: Immediate identify how the transaction should be processed.

Referring to Table 5, the DTS service expectation header includes a data field that identifies how the transaction should be processed.

TABLE 6 DTS Request Signature Header Implementation Defined In DTS Spec Specific Field Description Type Contents Value This element is to be used to hold String Digital signature per the digital signature of the spec compressed and encoded request payload. The data in this element must be base64 encoded.

Referring to Table 6, the DTS signature header includes a data field that holds the digital signature of the compressed and encoded request payload.

TABLE 7 DTS Request Payload Bytes Header Defined In DTS Spec Implementation Specific Field Description Type Contents Value This element holds the Integer Decompressed byte count decompressed byte count of of payload (response) the request payload (response).

Referring to Table 7, the DTS request payload bytes header includes a data field that holds the decompressed byte count of the request payload (i.e., the response).

TABLE 8 DTS Response Acknowledge Header Defined In DTS Spec Implementation Specific Field Description Type Contents Value This element is used to String Value: Immediate identify how the Service handled or will handle the transaction.

Referring to Table 8, the DTS response acknowledge header includes a data field that is used to identify how the Service handled or will handle the transaction.

TABLE 9 Request Message Element Defined In DTS Spec Implementation Specific Field Description Type Contents Value Payload String Base 64 encoded, compressed PDF file

Referring to Table 9, the request message element includes a payload data field containing the PDF document.

TABLE 10 Response Message Element Defined In DTS Spec Implementation Specific Field Description Type Contents Value Base 64 encoded, compressed String Message response string

Referring to Table 10, the request message element includes a message response data field.

If the DTS message is being sent to fulfill a document request, either from the PS or the DOS, an additional DTS header is required. This header contains the information required to support the processing by the MF 120. Aspects of the additional DTS header are illustrated in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Document Processing Header Implementation Defined In DTS Spec Specific Field Description Type Contents ADDSProcessMode Indicates a TEST or String Default to PRODUCTION document. TEST ADDSOrderSourceCode Indicates the source of the String Set this to document DOS DOS - Originates in the DOS PORTAL - Internal Use Only OTHER - 3^(rd) Party Ordering System ADDSOrderItemID The order item id. String The order item id if the document originates in DOS, PS ADDSRecipientEmail Document Recipient email address String The email address of the recipient. Not required for Status Update Messages ADDSSigningReason Reason to embed in the String Optional document's certification ADDSSigningLocation Location to embed in the String Optional document's certification ADDSSigningContactInfo Contact Information to embed in String Optional the document's certification

Referring to Table 10, the document processing header includes an ADDSProcessMode data field that indicates whether the document requested is a test document or a production document, an ADDSOrderSourceCode data field that indicates the source of the document, an ADDSOrderItemID data field that indicates the order item ID, an ADDSRecipientEmail data field that includes the email address of the document recipient.

There are two message types (DTS PayloadTypes) that the MF 140 will process, the TranscriptDelivery message and the Status message. The TranscriptDelivery message will process the included document according to the MF Message Type configuration. This may include DRM, DAS and DDS.

TABLE 11 Transcript Delivery Message Field Header Value DTSRequestPayloadType DTS TranscriptDelivery ADDSRecipientEmail Avow Required - Contains the Recipients Email Address Payload DTS Contains the PDF Document Message

Referring to Table 11, the TranscriptDelivery message includes a DTSRequestPayloadType data field, an ADDSRecipientEmail data field that includes the email address of the document recipient, and a Payload field that includes the PDF document.

The Status message will update the status values of the Order Record in the database 190 that is uniquely identified by the contents of the message.

TABLE 12 Transcript Delivery Message Field Header Value DTSRequestPayloadType DTS Status ADDSRecipientEmail Avow Not Required Payload DTS Contains the status message in Message XML format (see below)

Referring to Table 12, the Status message includes a DTSRequestPayloadType data field, an ADDSRecipientEmail data field that includes the email address of the document recipient, and a Payload field that includes status message in XML format (see below).

The DTS Message response value is a message specific value returned in the response message element. For all MF messages, this response will be a status value of the results of the message. The one exception to this is for the messages with the DDS 170 DTS Reply delivery method.

TABLE 13 DTS Message Response MF Message Type (DDS 170 Delivery Payload Type Method) Response TranscriptDelivery DTS Reply PDF File containing the document - Message was successful “Error” - The message was not successful TranscriptDelivery not DTS “Success” - The message was Reply successful “Error” - The message was not successful Status n/a “Success” - The message was successful “Error” - The message was not successful

Referring to Table 13, the Status message includes a DTSRequestPayloadType data field, an ADDSRecipientEmail data field that includes the email address of the document recipient, and a Payload field that includes status message in XML format (see below).

When the message is received by the MF 120, the MF 120 processes the message as described below.

Document Rights Service (DRS) Module

The Document Rights Service (DRS) module 150 provides control over how documents are used once they have been distributed. In one embodiment, the modular framework utilizes the Adobe® LiveCycle™ Policy Server to create a service that can integrate into existing document workflow processes. The Adobe® LiveCycle™ Policy Server allows for the application of persistent and dynamic security policies to documents that enable users to specify who has access, what they can do, when, and for how long. Authors can also update security policies at any time, even after distribution, so organizations can manage and track access no matter where a document resides.

The Document Rights Service module 150 along with the Adobe® LiveCycle™ Policy Server, enables the system 100 to reduce the costs and risks of distributing confidential information, control document access and usage rights online or offline, inside or outside the firewall, know when a document has been viewed, printed, or altered, extend version control beyond document and content management systems, leverage Adobe Acrobat® and free Adobe Reader® software to author and view protected documents, and revoke access to previously distributed documents.

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document rights service module messaging function, according to embodiments. Referring to FIG. 4, the DRS module 150 accepts a computer message containing the document (PDF file) to be protected with document rights. The computer message that includes a PDF file containing the document to be processed and the MF Message Type Object. The MF Message Type Object is a computer programming language object that contains the values from a single MF Message Type Data Record in the Database 190. A computer programming language object is a software bundle of related state and behavior. The MF Message Type Object contains the information required by the DRM to establish a connection to the Adobe® LiveCycle™ Policy Server, the authentication information required by the DRM to log in to the Policy Server and the unique identifier used to locate the policy to be applied to the document. One example of a MF Message Type Data Object is describe above. An example of a MF Message Type Data Record is presented in Table 14.

TABLE 14 MF Message Type Data Record Data Element Type Description admin_key_id Integer unique MF message type identifier school_id Integer unique organization identifier default_products_id Integer default document for this message type dts_source_id String Used to uniquely identify the MF dts_source_id_subcode message type dts_source_payload_type dts_source_public_key String Used to validate the MF DTS message aps_policy String DRM processing identifier hsm_key String DAS certificate identifier cert_reason String DAS default reason text embedded in certificate cert_location String DAS default location text embedded in certificate cert_contactinfo String DAS default contact information text embedded in certificate cert_visible Boolean 0 - DAS places invisible certificate field on document 1 - DAS places visible certificate field on document cert_page_num Integer DAS page number for placing visible signature on document cert_position_x Integer DAS coordinates for placing visible signature cert_position_y on document cert_position_w cert_position_h cert_graphic String DAS filename of graphic to be placed on document with signature cert_graphic_position_x Integer DAS coordinates for placing graphic cert_graphic_position_y on document cert_graphic_page_num Integer DAS page number for placing graphic on document cert_watermark Boolean 0 - DAS inserts graphic as a non- watermark on document 1 - DAS inserts graphic as a watermark on document default_delivery_mode String DDS default delivery mode for this message type dest_recipient_id String DDS used to uniquely identify the dest_recipient_id_subcode destination DTS Server for the DTS delivery method dest_recipient_public_key String DDS used to validate the DTS delivery message dest_recipient_url String DDS DTS Delivery web service address

The DRS module 150 determines which document rights should be applied to the document identified in the message. The DRS module 150 then returns the policy protected document to the MF 120 for processing. The response to the input message is a PDF file containing the policy protected version of the PDF file in the input message.

Once the response is received in the MF 120, the MF 120 processes the response message as described below.

Document Authentication Service (DAS) Module

The Document Authentication Service (DAS) module provides additional security by applying a certifying digital signature to the digital document. FIG. 5 is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document rights service module messaging function, according to embodiments. Referring to FIG. 5, the DAS module 160 accepts a computer message containing the document (PDF file) to be protected with document rights. In one embodiment, the message includes the document to be processed and the MF Message Type Object. As described above, the MF Message Type Object is a computer programming language object that contains the values from a single MF Message Type Data Record in the database 190. The MF Message Type Object contains the information required by the DAS to identify the unique certifying digital signature to be applied to the document, the reason, location and contact information text to be embedded into the signature, where the signature should be displayed on the document and whether any additional graphics should be added to the document during the application of the signature.

The DAS service accepts the digital document (Portable Document Format—PDF file), applies certification through a digital signature using, in one embodiment, the True Credentials for Adobe® certificate, and reinserts the document back into the document workflow via the MF 120.

In one embodiment, the Document Authentication Service (DAS) module 160 invoices services from third-party providers. For example, Adobe® LiveCycle™ Document Security software provides digital signature and encryption capabilities in a server environment that enable placing a digital signature onto a Portable Document Format (PDF) file, and VeriSign True Credentials® for Adobe® allows creation of secure Portable Document Format (PDF) documents that clearly and automatically certify to recipients that the author's identity has been verified by a trusted organization and that the document has not been altered.

The DAS module 160 also implements a Hardware Security Module (HSM) such as a SafeNet Luna SA which is an Ethernet-attached server offering cryptographic acceleration, hardware key management, and multiple configuration profiles for applications where security and performance are a priority. It is a requirement by Adobe® that the encryption keys are stored and protected by a FIPS 140-1 Level 3 device such as the Luna SA HSM.

The DAS module 160 then returns the certified document to the MF for additional processing. Once the message is returned to the MF 120, the MF 120 processes the message as described below.

Document Delivery Service (DDS) Module

FIG. 6 is a schematic illustration of aspects of the document delivery service module process flow, according to embodiments. Referring to FIG. 6, the Document Delivery Service (DDS) module 170 receives an input message from the MF 120, processes the input message, and delivers a document to the recipient using at least one of five possible delivery methods. The delivery method to be used is determined by the MF Message Type information included in the input computer message. The available delivery methods for the DDS include: (1) a DDS Email Delivery Method, (2) a DDS Secure Download Delivery Method, (3) a DDS Requestor Download Delivery Method, (4) a DDS DTS Delivery Method, and (5) a DDS DTS Response Delivery Method.

In some embodiments the input message to the DDS module 170 is a computer message that includes: (1) a PDF file containing the document to be delivered, (2) the MF Message Type Object, and (3) the MF Processing Object.

The Email Delivery Method delivers the document to the recipient using an Internet email message with the document attached. The term “email” includes the Internet e-mail system based on the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and to X.400 protocols.

The Secure Download Delivery Method sends an email message to the recipient which includes the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) containing the complete location of the DDS Secure Download web site. Also included in the URL is a document identifier that will uniquely identify the document to be downloaded. The recipient of the email message may use the URL in an internet browser to access the download site and download the document.

The challenge in delivering certified documents is to limit access to only the intended recipients. The DDS module 170 solves this challenge through the use of a secure SSL web site and a strategy of multiple emails. After the document has been certified and policy protected, it will be published to a secure web site. An email will be automatically generated and sent to the recipient. The email will contain a link or URL to the document and instructions on how to download it. The URL will be formatted in such a way as to prevent a user from reverse engineering the link and then using that information to “guess” another URL. As a further precaution, a second email will be sent containing a password required to access the URL.

The Requestor Download Delivery Method allows the document to be downloaded by the requestor in the MC. The DDS will store the document in the file system, then update the download information for the document's order-record in the database 190.

The DTS Delivery Method constructs a XML messages conforming to the PESC DTS Specification and send the message to the third party DTS Server identified by the MF Message Type Object.

The Requestor Download Delivery Method will return the PDF file containing the document to the MF in the response to the DDS input message. The MF, in turn, will return the PDF file to the originator of the MF input message where it then delivered.

As described above, the MF Message Type Object is a computer programming language object that contains the values from a single MF Message Type Data Record in the database 190. The MF Message Type Object contains the information required by the DDS identify the method by which the document is to be delivered. If the document is to be delivered to a DTS Web Service using the DTS delivery method, the object contains the information about the destination DTS Server.

The MF Processing Object is a computer programming language object used by the MF to store in-process information pertaining to the document in the current message. During normal operation, the MF 120 collects processing information about a document from the database 190 which is then stored in computer memory in an MF Processing Object. The use of an object to store this information allows for the efficient use of the information by the DDS and other services without incurring the overhead of retrieving the information from the database 190. The MF Processing Object contains information required by the DDS to identify the method by which the document is to be delivered. It also contains the order identifier which will uniquely identify the order record in the database 190.

In some embodiments the DDS module 170 implements an authentication process to authenticate requests for documents. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating operations in a method to authenticate an access request, according to embodiments. Referring to FIG. 7, at operation 705 an access request is received in the DDS module 170. In some embodiments, the access request may originate from a remote computing device operated by a user of the system 100.

In some embodiments, the authentication process determines whether the uniform resource locator (URL) associated with the access request represents a valid URL. For example, in some embodiments the system 100 maintains a list of valid URLs in the database 190. If, at operation 710, the URL associated with the access request is not valid, then control passes to operation 715 and an error routine is invoked. The error routine may include presenting an error page to the entity that originated the request. By contrast, if at operation 710 URL is valid then control passes to operation 720.

If, at operation 720 the number of login failures seats a threshold that control passes to operation 715 and an error routine is invoked. The error routine may include presenting an error page to the entity that originated the request. By contrast, if at operation 720 the number of login failures does not exceed the threshold and control passes to operation 725 and a login page is presented to the requester. At operation 730 login data is received from the requester.

If, at operation 740 the login data presented by the requester is not a valid then control passes back to operation 720. By contrast, if at operation 740 the login data presented by the requester is valid then control passes to operation 750.

If, at operation 750 a session does not exist then control passes to operation 755 and a logout routine is invoked. In some embodiments, a logout routine includes presenting a logoff/timeout page to the requester. By contrast, if at operation 750 a session exists then control passes to operation 760 and requester is allowed access to the download page.

From the download page, the requester can make a request for one or more documents managed by the system 100.

In some embodiments, the DDS implements logic to determine which delivery option will be used to deliver the document to the recipient. FIGS. 8-9 are flowcharts illustrating operations in a method of document delivery service processing, according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 8, at operation 805 a request message is received from the MF 120. If, at operation 810, the request message does not reference an existing order that control passes to operation 815 and an order is created. By contrast, if at operation 810 the request message references an existing order than the existing order can be retrieved.

At operation 820 a delivery logic routine is selected based upon the delivery mode indicated in the request. If the request indicates that the document should be delivered by a secure download or by e-mail then control passes to operation 825 and the record order is retrieved, and at operation 830 file name is generated for the requested document. Control then passes to the operations depicted in FIG. 9, which are discussed below. By contrast, if the request indicates that the document should be delivered by a DTS reply then control passes to operation 835 and a PDF document is added to the response message. At operation 840 the DTS reply is returned to the MF 120. Finally, the request indicates that the document should be delivered by the DTS delivery method then control passes to operation 845 and a DTS message is constructed. At operation 850 the DTS client module transmits the document to the recipient's DTS Server in the form of a DTS message.

If, at operation 855, the document transfer fails then control passes to operation 860 and an error routine is invoked. By contrast, if at operation 855 the document transfers successful control then passes to the operations depicted in FIG. 9.

Referring now to FIG. 9, if at operation 905 the document is part of a multiple document order, then the PDF file containing the document is appended to the archive. Control then passes to operation 915. If at operation 915 the document is not the last document in the order then control passes to operation 920 and control returns to the MF 120. By contrast, if at operation 915 retrieved document represents the last document in the request then control passes to operation 925.

If at operation 925 the secure download delivery method is requested and control passes to operation 930 and a document identifier pass code is generated. Control then passes to operation 935 an e-mail comprising a uniform resource locator (URL) which may be used to access the document is sent to the requester. Control then passes to operation 945 and the order record is updated in database 190. At operation 950, the document is saved to the filesystem. And at operation 965 the order status is updated in database 190 to reflect the document has been delivered. By contrast, if at operation 925 a secure download method is not requested then control passes to operation 940.

If at operation 940 the download delivery method is requested, control then passes to operation 945 and the order record is updated in database 190. At operation 950, the document is saved to the filesystem. And at operation 965 the order status is updated in database 190 to reflect the document has been delivered. By contrast, if at operation 940 a download method is not requested then control passes to operation 955.

If at operation 955 the email delivery method is requested, control then passes to operation 960 and an email is sent to the requestor with the attached documents. Control then passes to operation 965 the order status in database 190 is updated to reflect the document has been delivered.

When the document is delivered, the DDS 170 generates an output message to the messaging framework 120. The output of the DDS is dependant upon the delivery method of the document being processed. All delivery methods will send an output message to the MF containing the results status of the DDS operation. If the DDS module 170 delivers the document using the ‘DTS Reply’ method, the output message to the MF will contain the PDF file to be delivered.

The DDS Email Delivery Method will send an email message to the email address specified by the adds5_delivery_email value in the MF Processing Object. Attached to the email is the document that was included in the DDS input message.

The DDS Secure Download Delivery Method will send an email message to the email address specified by the adds5_delivery_email value in the MF Processing Object. Included in the email is the Uniform Resource Locator (URL) containing the complete location of the DDS Secure Download web site. Also included in the URL is a document identifier that will uniquely identify the document to be downloaded. The recipient of the email message will use the URL in an internet browser to access the download site and download the document.

The DDS Requestor Download Delivery Method has only one output message, the MF response message detailed above.

The DDS DTS Delivery Method will send a construct a XML messages conforming to the PESC DTS Specification and send the message to the third party DTS Server identified by the MF Message Type Object.

The DDS DTS Response Delivery Method has only one output message, the MF response message detailed above. This output message will contain the PDF File include in the input message to the DDS.

If a return message is received by the MF 120, the MF 120 processes the message as described below. Otherwise, notification emails are sent to the end users indicating that documents are ready for downloading from the DDS web-site portal.

Portal Service (PS) Module

The Portal Service (PS) module 115 is an online application that allows a user to manually submit a document to the MF 120, which will then process the document according to the document's configuration as described in Table 15. The PS module 115 presents of a series of web pages that prompt the user for document processing and delivery details. The PS module 115 collects the user's choices, stores the choices in the database 190 and sends a data message to the MF 120 containing a reference to the stored data.

Data Element Type Description document_id Integer unique document identifier school_id Integer unique organization identifier adds1_ado_flag Boolean 0 - Document is not available in the DOS 1 - Document is available in the DOS adds1_portal_flag Boolean 0 - Document is not available in the APS 1 - Document is available in the APS adds1_ado_default_delivery String DDS Delivery mode for DOS documents adds1_envelope_flag Boolean 0 - Document is not an APS document envelope 1 - Document is an APS document envelope adds1_envelope_template String APS document envelope filename adds2_processing_flag Boolean 0 - DGS processing is not enabled for document 1 - DGS processing enabled for document adds3_flag Boolean 0 - DAS processing is not enabled for document 1 - DAS processing enabled for document adds4_flag Boolean 0 - DRM processing is not enabled for document 1 - DRM processing enabled for document adds5_secure_flag Boolean 0 - DDS secure download is not available for this document 1 - DDS secure download is available for this document adds5_download_flag Boolean 0 - DDS download is not available for this document 1 - DDS download is available for this document adds5_email_flag Boolean 0 - DDS email delivery is not available for this document 1 - DDS email delivery is available for this document adds5_dts_flag Boolean 0 - DDS DTS delivery is not available for this document 1 - DDS DTS delivery is available for this document adds5_dts_reply_flag Boolean 0 - DDS DTS reply delivery is not available for this document 1 - DDS DTS reply delivery is available for this document client_doc_type String DGS PDF generation control value client_processing_type String AMF document processing control value client_submission_url String AMF document processing web service address client_submission_method String AMF document processing web service method ap_hsm_key_id Integer DAS/DRM control values

In one embodiment, the PS module 115 provides many functions, generates a data record that represents an order that was placed by the user of the system. This order is defined with the data elements listed in Tables 1 and 2. The following Order data is captured and stored by the PS module 115: Multiple Document Flag, Order Source, DDS Delivery Method, DDS Delivery Email Address, DDS Download Count, DDS Download Max Days, DAS Signature Reason, DAS Signature Location, DAS Signature Contact Info. When the output message is received by the MF, the MF processes the message as described below.

Messaging Framework (MF)

The Messaging Framework (MF) 120 comprises a collection of computer logic routines used to implement the various configurations of the system 100 and facilitate the transfer of messages and documents between the modular services in the system 100. In one embodiment, The MF 120 is implemented as a web service, a software system designed to support interoperable machine to machine interaction over a network, providing the interface by which an external process communicates with the system 100.

As described above, an external system, either a third party system or a service component, sends a DTS computer message to the MF 120 containing the document to be processed and the unique MF Message Type identifier. The database 190 includes defined lists of MF Message Type records of data, each of which describes the processing aspects of a specific MF Message Type. Each document, in the form of a computer message, processed by the MF will contain a message type identifier which uniquely identifies the message type.

FIGS. 10-12 are flowcharts illustrating operations in a method of message processing, according to embodiments. Referring first to FIG. 10, the MF 120 receives a DTS message from an external system (operation 1010). Using the MF Message Type identifier (DTS Id) included in the DTS message, the MF 120 locates and retrieves the message type record in the database 190 (operation 1010). If at operation 1015, a matching message type record is not found, the MF 120 will attempt to match a subset of the DTS Id in the DTS Message with a default message type record (operation 1030). If a matching record is not found, then control passes to operation 1040 and an error routine is invoked. The “dts_source_public_key” value in the message type record is then used by the MF 120 to validate the input message at operation 1035. If the validation fails, then control is passed to operation 1040 and an error routine is invoked.

In some embodiments, the MF 120 is adapted to handle input DTS messages that originate from one of the internal system services modules (i.e., the DOS, DGS, PS) which may be continuations of existing Database Order Records or from external third party systems whereby the document is new and heretofore unknown to the system. The MF 120 accomplishes this by checking, at operation 1045 for the presence of a unique Order Record identifier in the input DTS Message. If the Order identifier is present, then control passes to operation 1060 and the MF 120 locates and retrieves (operation 1070) the Order record from the database 190 and uses the values contained in the record to populate the MF Processing Object (See Table 16). By contrast, if at operation 1045 the Order identifier is not present, the MF 120 will retrieve (operation 1050) the default values in the MF Message Type record to populate the MF Processing Object (operation 1055 and 1075). Control then passes to the operations depicted in FIG. 11, which are discussed below.

TABLE 16 MF Processing Object Object Member Type Description order_id Integer unique order record identifier order_product_id Integer unique order document record identifier products_id Integer unique document definition record identifier products_name String document name adds3_flag Boolean 0 - DAS processing is not enabled for document 1 - DAS processing enabled for document adds4_flag Boolean 0 - DRM processing is not enabled for document 1 - DRM processing enabled for document adds5_delivery_method String DDS delivery method for the document adds5_delivery_email String DDS delivery email address products_attributes_filename String DDS Delivery filename products_attributes_maxdays Integer DDS Download expiration counter products_attributes_maxcount Integer DDS Download counter

In some embodiment, the MF 120 enables the MF Processing Object to be aggregated and to persist in a standardized format, the information required to process the document from the input DTS message. Thus the MF 120 is able to use a single computer logic routine to process documents from both internal service modules and external third party systems. FIG. 11 illustrates the operations in a routine that is used by the MF 120 to process all documents (i.e., DTS messages). At operation 1105, control is received from the operations depicted in FIG. 10 and the MF 120 processing flags are set. The MF extracts the PDF file containing the document from the payload of the input DTS message at operation 1110. At operation 1125, the MF uses values from the MF Message Type Object to determine if a certification graphic is to be applied to the document. If the graphic is to be applied, the MF uses additional values in the MF Message Type Object to control the placement of the graphic. At operation 1135, the MF will use values from the MF Message Processing Object to determine if the DRS is enabled for this document. If so, control will be passed to operation 1140 and the MF will send a computer message to the DRS containing the PDF file of the document to be protected and the MF Message Type Object. The DRS will include the PDF file of the policy protected document in the response to the input message. If an error is returned by operation 1140, control is passed to operation 1145 and an error routine is invoked. At operation 1175, the MF will then use values from the MF Message Processing Object to determine if the DAS is enabled for this document. If so, control will be passed to operation 1180 and the MF will send a computer message to the DAS containing the PDF file of the document to be certified and the MF Message Type Object. The DAS will include the PDF file of the certified document in the response to the input message. If an error is returned by operation 1180, control is passed to operation 1145 and an error routine is invoked. Control then passes to the operations depicted in FIG. 12, which are discussed below.

FIG. 12 illustrates the computer logic routine by which the MF sends an input message to the DDS containing the PDF File of the document to be delivered, the MF Message Type Object and the MF Processing Object (operation 1215). The DDS includes the delivery status in the response to the input message. Upon completion of the DDS at operation 1220, the MF will build and sign a properly formed DTS Response Message. Control is then passed to operation 1225 where the MF will save and audit record of the message in the database 190. Control is then passed to operation 1240, where the status is returned in the response to the input DTS message.

Management Console (MC)

System 100 includes a Management Console (MC) 175. In one embodiment, the MC is a web-based portal which may be used by an organization administrator to manage users, fulfill orders, configure the system and monitor the site for errors and issues. Using the MC 175, the administrator has a complete view as to the progress of an order through the various service modules of the system 100. Depending on the service modules that are deployed, the administrator will be able to view, search, download or print a list of all orders (documents) in the system. The administrator may use this view as a historical view into past orders. In addition, the administrator can monitor the status of current orders as they traverse the service modules, manage document requestor's authorization and consent to release a document, and maintain the configuration settings of the service modules.

While the MC provides many useful functions, the input and output messages to the MC are a data record that represents an order that was placed by the user of the system. This order is defined with the data elements listed in Table 1 (Order Data Elements).

Monitoring System (MS)

The MS 180 is a service tool that may be used by the system 100 to ensure that the system 100 is continually operational. Periodically, a test message is sent to the application and a response is required if the system is operational. If no response message is returned or an error condition is detected, then the systems will notify the system administrator via email and page that action must be taken.

Billing System (BS)

The Billing System (BS) 185 is used by the host and end user administrators to monitor, create and adjust billing information. It is also used to publish billing statements to system end users. The BS 185 comprises four components: 1) Contract Setup, 2) Bill Generator, 3) Billing Cycle, 4) Billing Statement.

There are seven screens associated with the BS: 1) Contract Summary Screen, 2) Contract Detail Screen, 3) Bill Generator Screen, 4) CC Import Data Screen, 5) Bill Cycle Summary Screen, 6) Bill Cycle Detail Screen, 7) Billing Statement Screen.

The BS 185 operates on orders that have been stored in the database 190. The unique capabilities embodied in the BS 185 involve counting order transactions associated with multiple clients, contracts, billing periods and system component configurations and determining the fees to be charged to the client based on these calculations. The process involves complex counting and sorting of these transactions counts and fees and displaying them to the end user in a logical manner.

Thus, the system described herein enables the electronic management and delivery of electronic documents in a fully-integrated, secure environment. Some of the operations described herein may be embodied as logic instructions on a computer-readable medium. When executed on a processor, the logic instructions cause a processor to be programmed as a special-purpose machine that implements the described methods. The processor, when configured by the logic instructions to execute the methods described herein, constitutes structure for performing the described methods. Alternatively, the methods described herein may be reduced to logic on, e.g., a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or the like.

The terms “logic instructions” as referred to herein relates to expressions which may be understood by one or more machines for performing one or more logical operations. For example, logic instructions may comprise instructions which are interpretable by a processor compiler for executing one or more operations on one or more data objects. However, this is merely an example of machine-readable instructions and embodiments are not limited in this respect.

The terms “computer readable medium” as referred to herein relates to media capable of maintaining expressions which are perceivable by one or more machines. For example, a computer readable medium may comprise one or more storage devices for storing computer readable instructions or data. Such storage devices may comprise storage media such as, for example, optical, magnetic or semiconductor storage media. However, this is merely an example of a computer readable medium and embodiments are not limited in this respect.

The term “logic” as referred to herein relates to structure for performing one or more logical operations. For example, logic may comprise circuitry which provides one or more output signals based upon one or more input signals. Such circuitry may comprise a finite state machine which receives a digital input and provides a digital output, or circuitry which provides one or more analog output signals in response to one or more analog input signals. Such circuitry may be provided in an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA). Also, logic may comprise machine-readable instructions stored in a memory in combination with processing circuitry to execute such machine-readable instructions. However, these are merely examples of structures which may provide logic and embodiments are not limited in this respect.

In the description and claims, the terms coupled and connected, along with their derivatives, may be used. In particular embodiments, connected may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. Coupled may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, coupled may also mean that two or more elements may not be in direct contact with each other, but yet may still cooperate or interact with each other.

Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” “some embodiments” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an implementation. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification may or may not be all referring to the same embodiment.

Although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that claimed subject matter may not be limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as sample forms of implementing the claimed subject matter. 

1. A system to manage and deliver electronic documents, comprising: a document ordering module to comprising logic to generate elements of an order record from a document order input to the document ordering module; a database coupled to the document ordering module comprising logic to store at least a portion of the order record generated by the data ordering module; a messaging framework coupled to the document ordering module and the database; and a document generation service module coupled to the messaging framework and comprising logic to generate an electronic document from data retrieved from a client data center to pass the electronic document to the messaging framework.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the database comprises at least one standardized order record which describes aspects of a specific document request.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the order record generated by the document ordering module is input directly to the messaging framework, and wherein the messaging framework retrieves portions of the standardized order record from the database.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein the document generation service module comprises a document retrieval module to retrieve records from the client data center.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the document generation service module comprises logic to generate a response to the messaging framework, and wherein the response indicates the source of the document request.
 6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a documents rights service module comprising logic to enable users to assign access and security policies to the document.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein the document rights module comprises logic to: receive an input data message from the messaging framework, wherein the input data message comprises the electronic document and a message type object comprising data elements specifying one or more security parameters and one or more authentication parameters.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a document authentication service module comprising logic to apply a digital certificate to the electronic document.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein the document rights module comprises logic to: receive an input data message from the messaging framework, wherein the input data message one or more authentication parameters.
 10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a document delivery service module comprising logic to receive an input message from the messaging framework, wherein the input message comprises the electronic document and a message type object comprising data elements specifying one or more document delivery options.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the document delivery service module further comprises logic to: retrieve a record order; and generate a document filename for the electronic document; and deliver the electronic document to an electronic mail address.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the document delivery service module further comprises logic to: retrieve a record order; and generate a document filename for the electronic document; and deliver the electronic document to an electronic mail address.
 13. The system of claim 10, wherein the document delivery service module further comprises logic to return the electronic document to the messaging framework.
 14. The system of claim 10, wherein the document delivery service module implements an authentication process to authenticate an access request,
 15. The system of claim 10, further comprising a portal service to allow a user to manually submit a document to the messaging framework.
 16. The system of claim 1, wherein the messaging framework comprises logic to: receive a message from an external system; and retrieve at least one order record from the database using a data record in the message.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the messaging framework comprises logic to apply a certification graphic to the electronic document.
 18. The system of claim 1, wherein the messaging framework enables the system to be implemented in a plurality of configurations. 